now
/naʊ/
adverb
Origin
Proto-Indo-European
*nu — now
Overview
Meaning Now
- At the present time or moment.
- Without delay; immediately.
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
nū
Earliest period
Old English period
Journey
The word traces back to a very stable Proto-Indo-European particle meaning 'now', which is reflected in cognates across almost all Indo-European language branches, indicating its fundamental role in temporal reference.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*nu
“now”
- Proto-Germanic
*nū
“now”
- Old English
nū
“now, at this time”
- Middle English
nowe
“now”
Connections
Word parts
now
root
at the present time
Related across languages
Latin
nunc
now
Greek
νῦν
now
German
nun
now
Explore next
Related to now
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.